Merkel seals strategic gains

Sino-German partnership is certain to go a long way in helping to resolve key issues and aiding in global economic recovery

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's four-day visit to China, which concluded Sunday, has further consolidated bilateral ties, already robust in recent years.

During the trip, Merkel reserved high words of praise for her country's relationship with the Asian nation, saying it had entered into a new and more candid phase. In response, Premier Wen Jiabao warmly echoed Merkel's comments, saying her visit would be "historically significant" as far as the relationship was concerned.